No power brings me to an early night’s sleep
Around noon yesterday there were numerous Severe Thunderstorm warnings issued by the National Weather Service! Once I got the report; I jumped right onto NEXRAD radar to see what was going on. There were numerous green, yellow and red images moving directly towards Allegany State Park. We started to prepare to notify everyone what was about to hit.
We witnessed rain like I have never seen before! With the ground over saturated, water started to puddle up everywhere!! A fellow worker called me over to her window to show me how the rain was moving sideways. I was just amazed at how the wind was pushing the puddles on the roads like waves on the beach. In just over an hour the rain had stopped with sunny and clear sky. I knew at this point this was truly a goofy day. The sun didn’t last long before the rain started up again but this time it didn’t come down as hard. Streams were rising quickly and we are all concerned that there could be some flooding.
About 3pm the lights started flickering and then you guess it, everything became dark. Things started to became hectic, phones ringing, people talking, ect..!! Didn’t take long before we realized that the power outage stretched further than just the park! Preliminary talk by police was that National Grid is expecting to get everything going again by 8pm (ya right). I needed to reschedule my haircut appointment and then decided to join my parents (who also didn’t have power) for a fish fry at my uncle’s restaurant (who did have power). I truly enjoyed seeing everyone and we had a wonderful meal. But we had no clue what to expect once we got home.
I saw my boss at the police office and decided to stop in to see what was going on. I learned that they had just got the emergency generator hooked up to the Administration Building and that there was a fire going in the fire place. The earliest the power will be turned back on is around 5am in the morning. I quickly went back home and spent a little time with the kitties. I figured that I would grab my laptop and return to the Administration Building to pass the time with power.
Back at the Administration Building there were a few families there who were also trying to get out of the darkness and stay warm. Last October they had experienced the week long power outage up in Buffalo. I pulled the TV out for the kids and we all watched the “Christmas Vacation” movie!! A few employees and myself had some wonderful conversations about what we had experienced throughout the day. I really enjoyed myself and glad that I decided to spend my evening with everyone (and with electricity). I was unable to connect to the internet (to update the blog) due to my phone service being out. So, I decided to head to bed early for once.
I noticed that my furnace started working again around 5:30 in the morning. I woke up with snow on the ground and found temps inside got as low as 48 degrees F. My phone service still isn’t working but now that the state of emergency and the driving ban has been lifted; I plan on going into town to find some phone service to upload this blog.
Update: I called windstream and they told me that someone will check my house by 5pm Monday evening (maybe sooner). I am not sure when I will be able to update the blog again (yes still have dial up).
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
Hey,
Glad you made it through a rough night. I was trying to warn you. Ha,ha. They were calling for 10 inches of snow in Indiana, and you are two states over from me. We got alittle snow. Not even an inch. But the rain pounded us as well. Broke a window in my house, which in the middle of it all, I was trying to board up…ever try to board up a window in 30 degree weather pouring rain, snow and ice? not fun, but got it done.
2 December 2006 at 1:45 pm
That storm was amazing in size and strength, it’s cool reading your side of the story. Here in Minnesota we got nothing but cold air while Wisconsin and Illinois were pounded with snow.
2 December 2006 at 4:53 pm
Thanks you two! This weather has been crazy and now getting ready for the next wave of weather about to hit!
2 December 2006 at 6:12 pm
Oh no you’re about to get another wave, we actually had a little bit of snow today-hey I’m feeling Christmassy now-I love your shot of the tree, “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”
Sounds like you ended up having a fine time of what could have been a bad situation
Hope you weather this next one as well
2 December 2006 at 8:50 pm
When the power goes out at home ( Puerto Rico)
the whole neighborhood, and I mean everyone, goes out and it’s like having a family reunion. Complete with gossip and fights at the end of it 🙂
Glad your safe..
but no internet service ?
…thant’s just awful! 🙂
2 December 2006 at 8:50 pm
Thanks Marg – shouldn’t be long and I will start to get into the Christmas mood! Sorry to hear about your snow, ugg, we should be getting more tomorrow.
Dinali – was a bit too cold for a block party last night but if this happened in the summer, this would have been great!
2 December 2006 at 9:15 pm
Wow Tom!
Sounds like never a dull moment! Glad you made it through the rough weather and power outages.
I hate when that happens! I am spoiled by modern convenices to be sure! These are lovely shots you have here. I love the one of the christmas tree in your admin. building. Good you have a place to go and stay warm, and even enjoy a good movie. 🙂
2 December 2006 at 11:31 pm
Di – I always tell everyone that you can always expect an adventure with me. Thanks for such kind words and I am very lucky for everyone that I have around to help when needed! Thanks for visiting my blog!
3 December 2006 at 9:49 am
Very Nice cabin! your home station?
3 December 2006 at 8:18 pm
Nope, this is the Parks Administration Building which I is where my office is located (its very large). My house isn’t even a tenth of this buildings size and was dark without any electric (reason for me going to the Admin Building).
3 December 2006 at 9:10 pm